Child predator arrested for second time
Bensalem Police previously arrested Kevin Nguyen, 29, and charged him with Possession of Child Pornography. He pleaded guilty and served time in the Bucks County Correctional Facility, and was registered as a Tier 1 Sex Offender for a period of 15 years. After serving his sentence, he was released.
In June of this year, Bensalem Police received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip stated that an IMVU user was messaging the account of a 13-year-old female with various sexually explicit messages. IMVU is a social media app where users create a character, or “avatar,” and interact with each other in a virtual environment. The messages were very graphic, stating that he wanted to have sexual intercourse with the juvenile and commit various other sexual acts on her.
Bensalem Police traced the source of the IMVU user’s account to Nguyen’s residence in Bensalem Township. A search warrant was obtained for the residence on Cricket Lane. During the execution of the search warrant, Nguyen admitted to sending graphic messages to the juvenile. He also told investigators that he used another social media app, Discord, to engage in sexually explicit messaging relationships with underage females. A search of that app revealed an extensive messaging relationship with a 14-year-old female where they discussed having sexual intercourse in graphic detail and shared sexually explicit images with each other.
Nguyen was charged with Unlawful Contact with a Minor, Sexual Abuse of Children, Criminal Use of a Communication Facility (all felonies) and a misdemeanor charge of Corruption of Minors. On Oct. 21, Nguyen turned himself in on the arrest warrant, was arraigned by District Justice Michael Gallagher and remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10% of $500,000 bail.
Traffic stop leads to seizure of AK-style gun
On Oct. 26, a Bensalem Police officer observed a dark-colored Mazda traveling south on Hulmeville Road near the intersection of Byberry Road. The windows were heavily tinted and, as the officer got behind the vehicle, the vehicle sped up, committed a traffic violation and came close to causing a crash with another vehicle in the roadway.
The officer conducted a traffic stop on Park Avenue for the violations. The officer stood at the rear of the vehicle and directed the driver, later identified as Victor Miles, 33, of Flourtown, to roll down the windows because he could not see into the vehicle due to the heavy window tint. Miles refused to put his window down and attempted to get the officer to approach the driver’s side window several times. Other officers arrived and spoke with Miles, who remained uncooperative.
One officer got close enough to the passenger side windows to look into the vehicle and determined that Miles was the only occupant. That officer then observed what appeared to be an AK-style rifle on the front passenger seat of the vehicle, within reach of Miles. Officers ordered Miles out of the vehicle, and he continued to refuse the commands while occasionally reaching toward the passenger seat, where the rifle was located. Officers believed that he was contemplating grabbing the gun before exiting the vehicle.
After tense negotiations, Miles exited the vehicle unarmed and was taken into custody. The AK-style rifle was found to have an obliterated serial number, a loaded banana-style magazine and a round in the chamber. The gun was in a condition that it was ready to fire.
The vehicle was towed to the Bensalem Township Police Department and a search warrant was obtained. During the search, officers recovered the DPMS AR-15-style rifle with an obliterated serial number, numerous loaded firearm magazines for multiple types of weapons, shotgun rounds, a black “Balaclava”-style mask, a pair of gloves and a black hooded sweatshirt with black duct tape covering the white wording on the front. Multiple containers of marijuana were recovered, as well as drug paraphernalia.
Miles was charged with felony Possession of a Firearm with an Altered Manufacturer’s Number, Altering or Obliterating Marks of identification, and various drug and vehicle code offenses. Miles was arraigned by District Justice Kevin Wagner and remanded to the Bucks County Correctional Facility on 10% of $300,000.
Bensalem Police receive NAACP award
The Bensalem Township Police Department received a special recognition award from the Bucks County NAACP at a recent event hosted by Parx Casino. Mayor Joe DiGirolamo, public safety director Bill McVey, command staff members and police officers were in attendance.
The department was recognized for its community service and collaborative efforts to create a diverse workforce. This award is a credit to the men and women who serve in Bensalem Township, and the NAACP members who assisted BTPD with the hiring process. The civilian hiring board members have a simple philosophy, “We only want the best for Bensalem,” which has helped BTPD build a culture of excellence.
Temporary burn ban
The Bucks County Commissioners have enacted a 30-day burn ban on open fires in Bucks County, starting Oct. 27. This resolution supersedes all local ordinances and codes. It bans burning combustible material such as garbage, leaves, grass, twigs, litter, paper, vegetative matter or any debris outdoors in a burn barrel, fire ring or ground.
The Bensalem Township Police Department has been given the authority to enforce this resolution. If any resident is cited for this violation upon conviction, a fine can be imposed of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense and $300 for the third offense.
